Building Cragside Walk
On this short but challenging hike you'll follow a rocky and hilly route. Climbing over small boulders, following paths next to jagged cliffs, and ducking through stone tunnels are all part of the adventurous walk.
Follow the waymarkers
Yellow waymarkers will show you the way on this walk.
Total steps: 12
Total steps: 12
Start point
Dunkirk car park, grid ref: NU 07464 01106
Step 1
At Dunkirk car park, look out for the yellow starter waymarker on the other side of the Carriage Drive. Go right and walk along the single-track road. Be careful of cars behind you.
Step 2
Walk along the Carriage Drive, past Dunkirk Cottage and Cragside’s alternative exit. After a short while you will see a set of stone steps on your left with an arrowed sign pointing to the Cockcrow Stone and Cragend car park. Take these steps uphill.
Step 3
Climb the stone steps, passing giant boulders on your left. The stone path bends left then right through the trees to the next waymarker. At this junction, go right continuing the signs for the Cockcrow Stone and Cragend car park.
Step 4
Keep following the path through the trees, passing cliff faces on the left. Keep going uphill, clamber over the stone boulders, following signs for the Cockcrow Stone which you will find at the top of the hill.
Step 5
Keep following the path, at the next junction, go left and continue to follow the waymarkers. You’ll reach a clearing in the woodland with lots of bedrock, heather and rhododendron across the ground. Follow the path through here.
Step 6
At the next post, go left, following signs for the Shepherd’s Hut, that takes you under a canopy of trees. Keep following the path and bear right on to the grass track where you’ll find the Shepherd’s Hut.
Step 7
Keep following the path so the hut is on your left. At the next junction, go right, following the signpost for Cragend. There’s more weaving through rocks and roots. After a while you’ll come across a bench which is the perfect place to rest if needed. Here you’ll witness views of the treetops with the Coquet Valley hills in the distance.
Step 8
Pick up the path again, following the waymarkers downhill. At the next junction continue following signs for Cragend.
Step 9
You have reached Cragend Quarry, where stone was mined to build the House and Rock Garden. It’s a great place to tuck into a picnic on one of the nearby benches. Once you’ve rested, pick up the waymarkers again. On your left, you will see a flat keyhole shaped bench in the grass. This was the steam stonecutter. Stay on the grass path and go right, uphill. Bear right at the top of the hill and follow the undulating track through the tree, crunching through fallen leaves and pinecones underfoot.
Step 10
Turn left at the next fingerpost, following signs back to the Cockcrow Stone, back through the heathery clearing once more. At the next arrowed post go left, following the sign for Dunkirk Car Park. Shortly after you’ll come across a steep descent down to a winding path. Keep following this path downhill. Don’t be fooled by the short section up hill, you are heading back to where you started. Go right at the next waymarker.
Step 11
The path eventually goes downhill once more. Follow the route between the rocks – you’ll have to duck under some sections. At the next set of arrowed signs, ignore the sign for Dunkirk Car Park (unless your legs are weary!) and keep going straight on. Eventually you will get to some stone steps – take these downhill.
Step 12
At the next arrowed sign, go left down even more rocky steps and walk through the rock tunnel. Keep following the step downhill which brings you back out on to the Carriage Drive. Go left to finish the walk and Dunkirk Car Park.
End point
Cragend car park, grid ref: NU0824601172
Trail map
More near here
Cragside
Explore Britain's original smart home which sits at the heart of a grand designer garden.
Nelly's Moss lakes walk, Cragside
Discover the historic lakes, engineered by Lord Armstrong as part of his pioneering hydro-electricity system, on this easy circular walk at Cragside, and spot wildlife like frogs and herons.
The Armstrong trail, Cragside
This walk has a short diversion following Storm Babet. A 2-mile circular walk along the Armstrong Trail at Cragside in Northumberland. Follow the water from Tumbleton lake through the Debdon Valley. Witness sparkling lakes, towering trees and tumbling cascades.
Get in touch
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
Walking in the North East
From a trek through the largest area of ancient woodland in Northumberland to a walk in the footsteps of the Romans along Hadrian's Wall, there are some amazing places to walk in the North East.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.
Staying safe at National Trust places
The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.
Follow the Countryside Code
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.
Things to do on the estate at Cragside
Stretching your legs in the cool winter air is a great way to blow away the cobwebs and recharge your batteries. You could re-discover some of your favourites hidden gems, or perhaps find a couple of new ones on a walk at Cragside.
Visiting Cragside with your dog
Cragside is a two pawprint rated place. With over 40 miles of footpaths, Cragside is great place to stretch your legs with your dog. Read our top tips to help make the most of your visit.
Shopping and eating at Cragside
Break up your day by visiting one of the eateries at Cragside, and pop into the shop, set in the old stable block near the tranquil Tumbleton Lake.